The Philippines’ defence chief has called on Beijing to engage in good-faith negotiations over the South China Sea, stressing that China still has a long way to go to earn Manila’s trust.
Observers warn that trust goes both ways, however, pointing to factors such as growing cooperation between Manila and Washington, and the reduced Chinese presence at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore over the weekend.
At the security summit, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr rebuked a Chinese delegate who raised the issue of South China Sea tensions.
Senior Colonel Chi Zhang, had asked Teodoro whether Manila was concerned about a proxy war in Asia, citing the United States increasing arms sales to the region and establishing more military bases in the Philippines.
“Thank you for the propaganda spiels disguised as questions,” Teodoro said in response.
He then gave an example that he said proved China’s word could not be trusted.
